China welcomes Li Na after Roland Garros triumph

It’s only now that Li Na has returned home after her last month’s historic victory at the French Open and the WTA organized a celebration in Beijing. The China’s first Grand Slam singles champion also attended a prize ceremony in her home province of Hubei, which awarded her with $94,000 and named her the Hubei Pioneer of Breakthrough.

Other than those two events, Li decided to rest at home and stay away from the limelight.

Since I have returned, I have tried my best to not go out if I can help it and just stay at home. Perhaps everyone’s recognition of me is greater and their expectations will be higher, but to me I don’t want to change the life I have been leading.

Li’s husband Jiang Shan was also present at the Beijing homecoming ceremony. They’ve been married for almost five and a half years.

Li’s win over Francesca Schiavone in the final of Roland Garros was the most-watched sporting event in China this year and the most-watched tennis match ever in the country.

You can see more nice photos from the event in WTA’s gallery. (via ESPN)